While figuring which boys’ soccer team is going to win the Colonial Valley Conference’s reshaped Valley Division would be, at best, anyone’s guess, settling upon one of the division’s four Group IV schools would seem like a good choice.
After years of competing in the Colonial Division, Trenton, West Windsor-Plainsboro South, WW-P North and Hightstown find themselves with a chance to win the Valley in 2024.
In fact, at 10-10 last year, Trenton is the only team in the updated seven-squad division to post double-digit wins last season.
Like all the rest, third-year head coach Anthony Carsella’s club is excited for the opportunity. With 10 players returning and 15 seniors, the Tornadoes, who reached the Mercer County Invitational title game last season, have as good a shot as anyone.
“I love everything the CVC is doing,” Carsella said. “It’s a huge changing of the guard. These kids have to prove they are ready for the challenge. They’re all earning spots every day out there.”
Trenton graduated a tremendous scorer in Jordan Cuero Merlin (21 goals), but that just opens the door for other players with a knack for the goal to step forward. Among the returning seniors who should help in the Tornadoes’ quest are midfielders Michael Changoluisa (three goals), Axel Samayoa-Lopez and Ruben Hernandez Parral, plus fullbacks Lary Rodriguez and Ivis Guzman.
WW-P South won eight games last year and will have 13 players back with 14 seniors on board. Known for playing strong defense [senior backs Jacob Nielsen and Michael Tecun return along with goalie Adham Mohamed], the Pirates should also be able to put the ball in the net with senior forwards Alec Siegel (seven goals, six assists), Radesh Sankaran (three goals, four assists) and Ethan Chang (two goals), plus senior midfielders Animesh Chauhan and John Konzelman.
“For all the seniors, there’s no next year, so I’m interested to see how they respond,” said WW-P South fourth-year head coach Matt Coburn, who believes this squad can get double-digit wins and go deep into both the CVC and state tournaments. “I like our chances. I want all of these kids to have a memorable experience.”
The same is true up the road at WW-P North, where second-year head coach Venkat Ramaprasad will have eight seniors to lead the way, including four-goal scorer Jai Garg, plus junior midfielder/forward Jacob Thinji, who led the team with seven goals in 2023.
“I’m really excited about the boys in the program. Our turnout was great,” said Ramaprasad, whose team was a Mercer County Invitational semifinalist last season. “This year, I want them to show consistency in their hunger and competing.”
Other seniors who will be looking to help the Northern Knights’ improve upon last season’s five wins are midfielders John Agogliati, Gideon Lubin and Thomas Halpin; fullbacks Sarthak Chauhan and Samuel Lasky, plus forwards Sidhant Somadathan and Chandra Thomman.
Hightstown may have only won three games last fall, but ninth-year head coach George Wolkiewicz’ troops always figure to be dangerous.
With 17 seniors ready to do battle and 26 players on varsity, the Rams figure to have plenty of competition. Nine of those upperclassmen are returning with goalkeeper Arnold Arevalo; fullbacks Erick Campoverde and James Cordero (four goals); midfielders Edison Pillco, Alex Gualotuna (two goals), Sebastian Rincon and Parker Gordon; plus forwards Esteban Castro and Miguel Tafur.
“Last year we started out strong, but didn’t finish stronger,” Wolkiewicz said. “We’re feeling much better about this season. It’s a really good bunch of kids who want to be there. We’re deep and everyone’s buying into the program.”
Of the Valley Division mainstays, Ewing did the best, going 9-11 last fall. The Blue Devils will be under the direction of first-year head coach D.J. Zedalis with former head coach Dave Angebranndt on paternity leave.
Five of their six seniors return with midfielders Rofny Lopez-Estrada, Randy Santiago-Carabello and Wenyan-Adom Kermah, goalkeeper Elias Martinez and goalie/fullback Dontae Brewster. Ewing also has six-goal-scoring, all-purpose sophom*ore Nick Tackacs.
“I think the CVC realignment is going to help us a little bit,” Zedalis said. “All the kids have been very receptive. It didn’t take long for them to adjust to my coaching philosophy.”
At Hamilton West, Simon LaPointe is in his third season as head coach. This figures to be his most solid senior class yet, 14 players deep.
“They’re still a young group, but they’re getting better everyday,” LaPointe said. “We’ll have the same core guys, and we should be more balanced.”
The upperclass trio of midfielders Mark Gavrish (five goals) and Alex Garcia-Cruz (five goals, four assists), plus forward Ayomide Talabi (four goals) figure to lead the offense, while their classmates Matt Zola, Ben Shaffer and Dominick Johnson shore up the defense.
Nick Durante enters his second season as Nottingham’s head coach. He will have a 12-member senior class, but only three of those – fullback Grant Solomon, goalkeeper Valentino Vilchez Flores and midfielder Dylan Garnica – were on varsity last year.
“We’re ecstatic about the changes in the CVC,” Durante said. “We did have some big losses (to graduation) from last season, so right now we are working on getting organized in the midfield.”
The Northstars also return four-goal-scoring junior forward Herbert Addo and his classmate Ridjeanno Peralte Valentin (three assists) to spearhead the offense.
EWING
Head Coach — D.J. Zedalis (first season).
Assistant Coach — Brian Dudeck.
Last Season — 9-11 overall, 5-9 CVC Valley, No. 15 in Trentonian Top 15.
Roster — Rofny Lopez-Estrada (Sr., M), Randy Santiago-Carabello (Sr., M), Wenyan-Adom Kermah (Sr., M), Elias Martinez (Sr., G), Dontae Brewster (Sr., G/B), Roberto Martinez (Sr., M), Johan Ampongan (Jr., F/M), Ibrahim Songu (Jr., B), Nick Tackacs (So., F/M/B), Jon Davila (So., M).
Outlook — Zedalis steps in for five-year head coach Dave Angebranndt, who’s on paternity leave. The Blue Devils graduated 16 players, so Ewing’s fresh faces will need to learn the new coach’s system quickly.
HAMILTON WEST
Head Coach — Simon LaPointe (third season).
Assistant Coaches — Jon Iorio, Mike Moceri Jr.
Last Season — 5-16 overall, 4-10 CVC Valley.
Roster — Mark Gavrish (Sr., M), Alex Garcia-Cruz (Sr., M), Matt Zola (Sr., B), Ayomide Talabi (Sr., F), Ben Shaffer (Sr., M/B), Dominick Johnson (Sr., B), Dylan Lopez (Sr., F), Josue Arrivillaga (Sr., B), Hernan Alexander Espinoza (Sr., F), Ebany Rodriguez (Sr., B), Jocsen Hernandez Puerto (Sr., F), Seiseldin Aly (Sr., F), Carlos Matute (Sr. B), Andy Quiridumba (Sr., M), Anthony Parades (Jr., B), Jordan Burd (Jr., B), Evan Hamilton (So., G), Hassen Augustin (So., M), Orlin Lopez Gonzalez (So., B), Santiago Lora (So., F), Sergio Mateus Gomez (So., M), Alpha Siaka (So., B), Danilson Santos Cantareo (Fr., M).
Outlook — The Hornets had six graduate, leaving high hopes for their 12 returnees. Hamilton West will have plenty of young players mixed with its experience, which should help it make a move upward in the reshaped division.
HIGHTSTOWN
Head Coach — George Wolkiewicz (ninth season).
Assistant Coaches — Walter Barreto, Jake Forst, Nick Zolkiwsky, Vincent Verderosa.
Last Season — 3-15-1 overall, 2-12 CVC Colonial.
Roster — Erick Campoverde (Sr., B), Arnold Arevalo (Sr., G), Edison Pillco (Sr., M), Alex Gualotuna (Sr., M), Esteban Castro (Sr., F), Sebastian Rincon (Sr., M), James Cordero (Sr., B), Parker Gordon (Sr., M), Miguel Tafur (Sr., F), Lionel Aguilar (Sr., B), Bryan Us De Leon (Sr., B), Juan Parra-Velandia (Sr., F), Dominic Tocto (Sr., M), Christopher Chiriboga Solano (Sr., F), Diego Salinas (Sr., M), Nery Crisanto (Sr., B), Jeremias Lopez (Sr., M), Victor Ortiz (Jr., M), Eydan Coronel (Jr., B), Alex Garcia (Jr., F), Casey Maher (Jr., M), Iker Huastitian-Reyes (Jr., M), Tedum Ingreh (Jr., F), Justin Velecela (So., G), Derek Tapia (So., M), Joseph Borjas (So., M).
Outlook — With 11 seniors having graduated and a dozen more back, the Rams have an opportunity to be much improved. Playing a complete 80 minutes every time out will be one of the most important lessons.
NOTTINGHAM
Head Coach — Nick Durante (second season).
Assistant Coaches — Mike Suosso, Sean Fitzpatrick.
Last Season — 1-15 overall, 1-13 CVC Valley.
Roster — Grant Solomon (Sr., B), Valentino Vilchez Flores (Sr., G), Dylan Garnica (Sr., M), Adrian Fuentes (Sr., M), Dylan Rodas Estrada (Sr., B), Kevin Jaques (Sr., B), Aidan Lipman (Sr., G), Diego Ortiz Hernandez (Sr., M/B), Jhoan Cuenca (Sr., M), Jose Sanic (Sr., M), Justin Umana (Sr., G), Fredy Yoc Gabriel (Sr., F/M), Herbert Addo (Jr., F), Ridjeanno Peralte Valentin (Jr., M/F), Angel Lopez (Jr., B), Ethan Miller (Jr., M), Marcos Bautista (Jr., F), Lester Bracero (Jr., B), Edwin Gregorio (Jr., M), Andres Menendez (Jr., B), Wilmer Martinez-Reynoso (So., M), Nikolas Obermeier-Walker (So., M),
Outlook — Six key players graduated, yet 12 return to give Duante’s Northstars hope in their second season together. Once new roles take shape, Nottingham should be able to make its mark on the new Valley Division.
TRENTON
Head Coach — Anthony Carsella (third season).
Assistant Coaches — Rob Prunetti, Mamadou Bamba, Benny Lavariega-Aldrete.
Last Season — 10-10 overall, 6-8 CVC Colonial, Mercer County Invitational runner-up, No. 13 in Trentonian Top 15.
Roster — Michael Changoluisa (Sr., M), Axel Samayoa-Lopez (Sr., M), Ruben Hernandez Parral (Sr., M/B), Lary Rodriguez (Sr., B), Ivis Guzman (Sr., B), Joshua Hernandez (Sr., M), David Ali (Sr., B), Justin Vasquez Gramajo (Sr., B), Cristian Cambi Zamora (Sr., M), Mike Castro (Sr., B), Rochawn Kla (Sr., M/B), Jose Palacios Calderon (Sr., B), Oscar Perez Barrera (Sr., M/B), Kevin Rodriguez (Sr., B), Henry Sarceno Y Sarceno (Sr., M), Jose Esteban (Jr., M), David de los Santos-Pino (Jr., M), Josue Herrera-Morales (Jr., F), Aaron Merlin Labre (Jr., M), Jose Lemus-Castaneda (Jr., M), Deneiro Hylton (Jr., B), Steben Molina Velasquez (Jr., M), Justin Rivera Ramos (So., B), Carlos Rafael Campos (So., G), Jonathan Mendez (So., G), Hector Aldana Lopez (So., F), Justin Estrada Hernandez (So., M), Justin Rodriguez Say (So., B).
Outlook — The Tornadoes graduated nine players for a second year in a row and have 10 back. It’ll be weird not to have Trenton in the Colonial Division, but the move to the Valley should prove beneficial for The High.
WW-P NORTH
Head Coach — Venkat Ramaprasad (second season).
Assistant Coaches — Jaime Ely, Carl Romero, Hailey McGee.
Last Season — 5-13 overall, 3-11 CVC Colonial, Mercer County Invitational semifinalist.
Roster — John Agogliati (Sr., M), Jai Garg (Sr., M), Sarthak Chauhan (Sr., B), Sidhant Somadathan (Sr., F), Thomas Halpin (Sr., M), Gideon Lubin (Sr., M), Samuel Lasky (Sr., B), Chandra Thomman (Sr., F), Jacob Thinji (Jr., M/F), D.J. Jain (Sr., B), Aarav Chandna (Jr, M), Neev Jain (Jr., B), Aadhya Gangappa (Jr., M), Suneel Paladugu (Jr., G), Mohamed Moubarek (Jr., B/M), Devansh Mohta (Jr., B), Arjan Menon (Jr., M), Sahas Adepu (So., M), Evan Sun (So., B/M), Parth Mallick (So., G), Om Visaria (Fr., M).
Outlook — Heading into their second season under Ramaprasad, the Northern Knights had 10 players graduate and have 12 back who are looking to provide the direction the team needs. With more consistent play all over the field, WW-P North is hoping to raise its level and make an impact in the Valley.
WW-P SOUTH
Head Coach — Matt Coburn (fourth season).
Assistant Coaches — Kyle Dixon, Joe Gambino, Fabio Aconi.
Last Season — 8-12 overall, 7-7 CVC Colonial, No. 15 in Trentonian Top 15.
Roster — Alec Siegel (Sr., F), Radesh Sankaran (Sr., F), Adham Mohamed (Sr., G), Ethan Chang (Sr., F), Jacob Nielsen (Sr., B), Animesh Chauhan (Sr., M), John Konzelman (Sr., M), Michael Tecun (Sr., B), Michelangelo Simonelli (Sr., B), Caua Gomes (Sr., M), Daniyal Taha (Sr., F), Vivek Raghuram (Sr., B), Adrian Chang (Sr., M), Tristan Jazmine (Sr., B), Alvin Valladares (Jr., F), Brayan Tecun (Jr., B), Rushil Sakrikar (Jr., B), Gavin Bernard (Jr., F), Keith Nindo (Jr., M), Jeremy Schaffel (Jr., M), Lino Kim (So., B), Alejandro Araos (So., M), Dhruv Naidu (So., G), Yash Thakur (So., M), Ritwik Mohanty (Fr., B).
Outlook — Ten Pirates graduated and 13 return, leaving room for this team to find its own identity in the Valley. The defense will be steady as always, so, as long as its offense also is, WW-P South should fare well.
Originally Published:
